Lecture 5

Question 1

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 1

Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes all nerves outside these regions.

Question 2

What is the primary function of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Answer 2

Interactions with the external environment and execution of motor commands

Question 3

What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?

Answer 3

The brain and spinal cord

Question 4

What does embryology study?

Answer 4

The development of embryos and fetuses from fertilization to birth or hatching

Question 5

What are the three main parts of the brain referred to in neuroscience?

Answer 5

Forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain

Question 6

What are sutures in the context of neurodevelopment?

Answer 6

Ossified tissue between separate bone plates that make up the skull

Question 7

What are the protective layers of tissue below the skull called?

Answer 7

Meninges

The meninges consist of dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Question 8

What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and what are its functions?

Answer 8

A clear, colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, serving as a protective cushion, providing essential nutrients, and removing waste products

Question 9

What are the fluid-filled cavities within the brain that produce cerebrospinal fluid called?

Answer 9

Ventricles

Question 10

What is the visible surface of most of the brain called?

Answer 10

The cerebrum (telencephalon)

Question 11

What are gyri and sulci?

Answer 11

Gyri: ridges on the surface of the brain; Sulci: depressions or fissures in the surface of the brain

Question 12

What are the four lobes of the cerebrum?

Answer 12

Frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe

Question 13

What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

Answer 13

Executive function, decision making, planning, problem solving

Question 14

What separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain?

Answer 14

Longitudinal fissure

Question 15

What structure connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain?

Answer 15

Corpus callosum

Question 16

What is lateralization of brain function?

Answer 16

The phenomenon where certain brain functions are typically controlled by one hemisphere only

Question 17

Which hemisphere of the brain is primarily responsible for language?

Answer 17

Left hemisphere

Question 18

What is the role of the thalamus?

Answer 18

Relaying most sensory signals to their respective cortices

Question 19

What are the two key regions of the limbic system?

Answer 19

Hippocampus and amygdala

Question 20

What is the primary function of the hippocampus?

Answer 20

Formation and consolidation of new memories, particularly declarative or episodic memories

Question 21

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 21

Coordination of fine movement and balance

Question 22

What terms describe the relative locations of brain regions?

Answer 22

Medial/Lateral, Dorsal/Ventral, Anterior/Posterior

Question 23

What is a neuron?

Answer 23

Specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit electrical and chemical signals

Question 24

What are glial cells?

Answer 24

Non-neuronal cells that support and protect neurons in the nervous system

Question 25

What is gray matter composed of?

Answer 25

Cell bodies of neurons

Question 26

What is the function of white matter?

Answer 26

Transmitting signals between regions on the cerebral cortex

Question 27

What are tracts in the context of the nervous system?

Answer 27

Bundles of nerve fibers or axons forming a specific pathway for transmitting information

Question 28

What are nerves?

Answer 28

Bundles of specialized cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that transmit signals between the CNS and the body

Question 29

What are the main parts of a neuron?

Answer 29

Soma, nucleus, membrane

Question 30

What is the function of dendrites?

Answer 30

Gather incoming information from other cells

Question 31

What is the purpose of the myelin sheath?

Answer 31

Insulating material that speeds up action potentials

Question 32

What is resting potential?

Answer 32

The baseline electrical charge across a neuron's membrane when at rest

Question 33

What maintains the resting potential in neurons?

Answer 33

Ion channels and sodium-potassium pump

Question 34

What is resting potential?

Answer 34

The baseline electrical charge across a neuron's membrane when at rest ## Footnote It is about -70 millivolts.

Question 35

What maintains the resting potential of a neuron?

Answer 35

Two key features: * Ion Channels * Sodium Potassium Pump ## Footnote Ion channels allow specific ions to pass through the membrane, while the sodium-potassium pump actively transports ions to maintain charge balance.

Question 36

What is the role of ion channels in resting potential?

Answer 36

Specialized proteins in the cell membrane that selectively allow specific ions to pass through ## Footnote Ions include sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride.

Question 37

What is the function of the sodium-potassium pump?

Answer 37

It actively transports sodium ions out of cells and potassium ions into cells ## Footnote This maintains ion balance essential for cell function.

Question 38

What is an action potential?

Answer 38

A very brief shift in a neuron’s electrical charge that travels along an axon ## Footnote The electrical charge changes from about -70mv to about +30mv.

Question 39

Where does an action potential typically begin?

Answer 39

Near the soma (cell body) of the neuron ## Footnote It then propagates down the length of the axon rapidly.

Question 40

What role does myelin play in action potential propagation?

Answer 40

It increases the speed at which the charge propagates down the axon ## Footnote This allows neurons to send information over long distances.

Question 41

What is the all-or-none law in neuronal firing?

Answer 41

When an action potential begins, it is fully executed; there are no 'half' action potentials ## Footnote Neurons either fire an action potential or they don’t.

Question 42

How is stimulus intensity transmitted in neurons?

Answer 42

By the rate of action potentials ## Footnote Faster firing indicates a more intense stimulus.

Question 43

What is the absolute refractory period?

Answer 43

The minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin ## Footnote This period is crucial for the reset of the neuron's charge.

Question 44

What is the synapse?

Answer 44

A specialized junction or connection between two neurons that allows for the transfer of electrochemical signals ## Footnote It is where communication and signal transmission occur in the nervous system.

Question 45

What is the synaptic gap?

Answer 45

The small space between the axon terminal of a pre-synaptic neuron and a post-synaptic neuron ## Footnote Chemicals are released here to allow for chemical communication between neurons.

Question 46

What are the roles of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons?

Answer 46

The pre-synaptic neuron sends a signal, while the post-synaptic neuron receives it ## Footnote This interaction is essential for neuronal communication.